China’s Cheng Fei won the balance beam title, her third gold medal of the tournament, as the “Good Luck Beijing” competition concluded on Monday.
Winning even her “bad” apparatus at the Olympic test meet — she has stopped competing bars — the Chinese Olympic Team captain will be under some pressure leading up to the Games.
Cheng, who had qualified eighth to the final after falling in qualifications, won the gold despite a large wobble on her tucked full and watering down her usual triple-twisting dismount to a 2 1/2.
“I got a gold medal today, but I believe my strong points still lie in floor exercise and vault,” she said. “But through today’s competition, I gained confidence. Although balance beam is not my preferred apparatus, I am always ready to compete for the team.”
Cheng said she doesn’t plan to add more difficulty to her routines, and that her winter training will focus on her psychological stability.
“My biggest pressure comes from the younger athletes,” she said. “They are improving rapidly, and at the same time, there is little room for me to improve. I really feel anxious about it.”
Australia’s Lauren Mitchell finished second, one tenth behind Cheng. …
Top qualifier Chellsie Memmel won the bronze with 15.300.
For videos, photos and more, visit the official event Web site: gymnastics2007.org.cn/ga/en/
The meet is finished. Final scores: GymnasticsResults.com
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